McCarthy Insurance Group FL preview: Barrs out to stop slide, Éire Óg target back‑to‑back wins against Newcestown
Douglas and St Finbarr's will both be keen to get a win later on today. Picture: Jim Coughlan
Four McCarthy Insurance Group Football League games take place this evening, with the spotlight firmly on the two Division 1 fixtures as the race for points tightens across the top tier.
There is just one more match remaining in the league after this round.
St Finbarr’s make the short trip to face Douglas in a meeting of two sides badly in need of a lift. The Barrs arrive winless in four and sitting on seven points from seven games, a run that has dragged them into the lower reaches of the table.
Douglas, meanwhile, are joint-bottom with Nemo Rangers on four points from seven outings. Their season hasn't quite settled, and with home advantage this evening they will know the importance of seizing an opportunity.
The second Division 1 game is in Ovens, where Éire Óg host Newcestown. The home team picked up a vital win last time out away to Carbery Rangers, a result that lifted them to five points and third from bottom.
It was a timely boost for a side that had been searching for momentum, and they will hope that victory becomes a turning point.
Newcestown, by contrast, have been trending upwards. With eight points from seven games, they sit just outside the league final places and know that another win later on would push them firmly into contention. Their consistency has been one of the stories of the division so far with just one loss, and they will travel to Ovens with confidence.
There is also the added wrinkle that Carthach Keane plays for Newcestown while coaching Éire Óg.
Division 3 leaders Bishopstown are at home to Bandon this evening. Bishopstown have ten points from seven games, a point clear of three chasing sides — Kanturk, Naomh Abán and Aghabullogue — but they come into this fixture on the back of a disappointing home defeat to Kilshannig.
Brian Cuthbert's team have been the most consistent outfit in the division overall, yet that loss has tightened the race considerably. They will be eager to respond.
Bandon, on six points from seven games, have been inconsistent but dangerous when they click. Their challenge has been stringing performances together.
Finally, in Division 7, Ballygarvan make the trip to Castlemagner. Both teams sit mid-table and will view this as a chance to edge upwards.
Division 1: Douglas v St Finbarr’s; Éire Óg v Newcestown, both 8pm.
Division 3: Bishopstown v Bandon, 7.30pm.
Division 7: Castlemagner v Ballygarvan, 7.45pm.
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